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Take action on military aid to Israel

Urge your member of Congress to investigate whether U.S. military aid to Israel is undermining prospects for peace in the region.

Background: Each year the U.S. gives more than $3 billion in military assistance to Israel, more than to any other nation.

Last October a group of 15 faith leaders, including Kathy McNeely of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, sent a letter to all members of Congress, stating that unconditional U.S. military assistance to Israel has contributed to deteriorating conditions, “sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Because of this concern, they urged members of Congress to investigate possible violations by Israel of U.S. law that prohibits assistance to any country which engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations. The letter urges careful scrutiny to ensure that U.S. aid is not supporting actions by the government of Israel that undermine prospects for peace.

So far, no such review of U.S. military assistance has taken place.

The letter from Christian leaders explains that the signing organizations have been deeply involved in the pursuit of a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians for decades, “inspired by the call and promise of Jesus Christ who said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’”

The letter continues: “Realizing a just and lasting peace will require…accountability, as continued U.S. military assistance to Israel -- offered without conditions or accountability -- will only serve to sustain the status quo and Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian territories.”

Action: Urge your member of Congress to investigate whether U.S. military aid to Israel is undermining prospects for peace in the Middle East. Use this link to contact your member of the House; use this link to find your senators. You can also call the Congressional switchboard to leave messages in their offices: 202-224-3121.